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I look over my shoulder as we walk into the ballroom. From this distance, Antonio doesn’t seem any more relaxed.
65
Antonio
“I’ve been wanting a word with you,” I tell my cousin, although I’d rather put my fist in his face than talk to him. I can’t believe he had the nerve to corner Daniela. Mia was smart to text Cristiano.
“You know how to reach me.”
“I’ve reached you now. Let’s go out on the balcony where we won’t be overheard. Just you and me.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“You always were afraid of your own shadow. And of me. You worried I might steal your lollipop?”
“Fuck you.”
“Fine. You want me to say it here, where anyone can hear. My pleasure.”
He’s wavering. Tomas knows I’m capable of anything. Including saying something that will diminish him in front of his men. Not that they hold him in such high esteem.
“Just you and me,” he says, in a tone that he hopes will save face.
Daniela has bigger balls than this guy.
When we step onto the empty balcony, he immediately turns to me. “What the fuck do you have to say to me?”
“It’s quite simple, actually.” I keep my voice even and low. “If you bring the Russians in, I’ll destroy you. The company, your house, everything you care about will be rubble.”
He raises his hands in surrender. “Don’t look at me. I don’t want those greedy bastards here any more than you do. I’m fully aware that they have no regard for the valley. But you might want to take a closer look at Viera. I hear he’s been courting the Bratva.”
What a fucking liar.
“I’m looking at you,” I growl, stepping closer and forcing him back toward the building. “And the next time you so much as breathe on my fiancée, it’ll be the last breath you take.”
He snickers. “Never pegged you for the kind of man who enjoys leftovers. I hear theprincesaspreads her legs for anyone who asks nicely.”
I slam my open hand into his face, smashing his head against the stone. Before he can react, I pull out my knife and hold the blade to his meaty throat.
“Not here,” Lucas cautions, grabbing my wrist, but not before I pierce the bastard’s throat with the knife tip, drawing blood.
“Your days are numbered,” I warn before releasing him.
66
Daniela
Idon’t see Tomas again, and the rest of the evening goes smoothly.
Better than smoothly. It’s wonderful, like something straight out of a fairy tale. Although I know at some point I’m likely to lose a shoe, or encounter a pack of wolves—perhaps just one. But I don’t dwell on that part of the story.
Antonio is relaxed, smiling more than I’ve ever seen him smile. And he’s attentive. My wineglass is never empty, and when I discover I don’t have a salad fork, he gives me his before signaling for the waiter. It all happens seamlessly, without discussion, like we’ve done this dozens of times.
Even when he’s chatting with someone who stops by the table, Antonio drapes his arm across the back of my chair, or squeezes my hand under the table. He’s the perfect date.
At the end of the night, when Thiago pulls the car up to the house in the valley, Antonio gets out and then helps me out. He doesn’t let go of my hand as we go inside.
Several lights are on, but it’s after midnight, and the house is quiet.
